It is Mr.Poopyhead to you!

"Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive."

Elbert Hubbard

Have you had a moment in your life where you've stopped and said, "Why didn't I think of that!"?  Of course you have.  I have, you have, we all have.  One morning on my way to work I had the genius idea of looking up the 'Bebe' website (embarrassing revelation numero uno).  Don't worry, I wasn't driving (NO TEXTING AND DRIVING!).  Well, to be honest, I was sitting in my car.  The only difference?  I was at a red light.  

So, I take out my cellular (I kinda love that word) phone, press my purple painted finger on the 'Safari' application and voila! the wireless network window pops up.  At first I do not really take in what I see.  I take a sip of my venti caramel macchiato and look down at my phone, again.  Then I see it.  It finally hits me.  The perfect laugh-out-loud moment.  You know, that single instance where you question whether or not you are as cool as you thought you were.  I mean, your wireless network is not labeled "poopyhead".  No, it is not.  

My wireless network is named something completely boring and unworthy of mention (I blame the husband).  It is so lame and sad that I will not even reveal its nombre (shameful, truly).  However, this person, well, this person is uh-mazing (amazing, for the grammar police in all of you).  And, if you are out there, I want to give you a high-five. Actually, I want to give you a high-five and a smooch (not on the lips, take it easy).  Because, I think you are awesome.  The "sizzla" guy, well, you're alright, I guess.

Perhaps, it is the inner child in me, however, I giggle every-single-time I see this photo.  I've kept this gem for a couple years now (ugh, yup, I am that girl, picture hoarder? YES!).  Whenever I need a good laugh I look for this in my stored memory.  Because at 8:32 AM when you are on your way to hell, I mean, work, you need a good laugh.  

And, laugh I did.  The light turned green, the moment was gone, and I went on with my day.  

Ultimately, I just want to thank the person for this giggle filled minute.  If you are out there, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, tell me, what do you call your wireless network?

xx

Hello, rubber Ducky.

"I'm gonna go take a hot shower.  It's like a normal shower, but with me in it."

Source

A bath, a shower, I do not care what you call it, or how you do it, just DO IT!  This girl, she takes two showers.  TWO SHOWERS!  Do you hear me non-showering women of the universe?  One in the morning and one at night (sometimes I take three, depending on my mood).  So, that is ONE person, who takes more than ONE shower, EVERY day.  Let me repeat.  I TAKE A SHOWER EVERY SINGLE DAY!  On-the-other-hand, some of you, do not shower at all?  I cringe at the thought.  CRINGE.

Yes, you read it correctly.  There are some of you out there that do not shower on a regular basis.  There are some of you that go days without showering?  Can I get an ew?  I know, what in the world.  Is it a trend?  Is "stank" the new "Chanel"?  Please say it-isn't-so!  And, yet, the more I find myself scrolling blog after blog, I realize that "no showering" is the latest fab.  

And, let me just say, that for the mere purpose of hygiene, that is nasty (said in Cleveland's voice).  N-A-S-T-Y.  Okay, so you are little Miss. Stinky, do you really need to share that with the internet universe?  Over-sharing in this case, is just that, over-sharing.  If you write it for laughs, well, we are laughing at you, not with you.  Get it?  Got it?  Good!  Because truly, when I read that you sometimes forget when the last time it was you showered, it makes me want to gag.  It also makes me wonder if you are the girl that walked past me this morning smelling like a bag of onions.  Actually, let me rephrase that, an old bag of onions. 

And if you must choose between a morning or a night shower, choose the night, no one wants a stinky bed.  Grab your soap and rub-a-dub-dub!

xx

I'm just trying to be cool.

Cool
I’m just trying to be cool
It’s all because of you

-Phoenix

This is the photo for the cover of our debut cd.  Just kidding.  Sadly, I am not a singer.  Though, by looking at this photo one may think we have a "husband and wife" duet going on.  We don't.  Unfortunately, the husband and I are not musically inclined.  Sure, I was in chorus once upon a time.  Sure, the husband was in chorus as well.  However, nowadays we limit our performances to the shower and our cars.  I wouldn't have minded one bit had I been a superstar entertainer like Britney Spears (minus the breakdown, ain't nobody got time fo' dat).  

A good time.  That is all I yearn for.  I've never considered myself lucky (seriously, it is almost comical).  Then, today I was walking around Target, frappuccino in hand, and it dawned on me.  Goodness, how did it take me this long to realize?  I am one of the luckiest women in all of the galaxy.  I married the one person who makes all my times, good times.  And, that is no easy feat, because I am one difficult bunny.

I am the happiest in his presence.  Not all days are perfect, yet, I choose to spend even the toughest of times with you.  So, here is the thing.  If you are yet to meet that individual who is happiness personified, do not discourage.  To some, being alone is happiness, and that is quite alright as well.  Whatever route you decide to take, be sure you are having a good time.  Because there are no substitutes for a life well lived.

Amidst the chaos that is life, sometimes we forget to acknowledge those individuals whose very existence is critical to our being.  From the moment we met, I knew I had a friend for all my days.  Shower your cherished ones with love.  There will never be a moment when a spoken "I love you" is enough.  

So, if you feel it, say it, share it, shout it to the world.  

xx

My grandma is better than yours...

Source

There are moments where your heart is filled with so much yearning that any-little-emotion will cause instantaneous combustion.  My heart is in overload.  I miss my grandma.  Unless you live an entire continent away from your grandma, you just do not know how I feel.  

Fortunately for me, my grandma will be here next weekend.  For four months I will be able to enjoy all that is grandma.  She is bossy and stubborn and strong-willed and sassy, but, she is mine (okay, I may share her with my cousins and siblings, whatever).  I cannot wait to give her a hug and to hear her say my name.  I am her favorite, if you must know.    She would always whisper in my ear, "Renata, you are my favorite grand child, shhh".  

And, look at her.  How many of you can say your grandma is this fashionable?  She is wearing leggings, for goodness sakes!  The woman doesn't ever leave the house without her lipstick, true story.  And flip flops?  They are considered "inside" shoes.  Once she saw a young girl wearing yoga pants and asked me, "Why do so many young women wear pajamas to the mall".  She eats her pizza with a knife and fork and makes the best chocolate cake known to mankind.

She has a piece of my heart and next week I'll get it back (temporarily).

xx

Can I get an Amen!

Source

Clearly, this week was filled entirely too much with the word busy.  Busy!  Busy!  Busy!  Monday came and went.  Tuesday came and went.  Wednesday came and went.  And, then it hit me.  I MISSED MONDAY MAN IN SUIT CHRONICLES!  WHAT WAS I THINKING! Like I said, I started a new job and my brain is about to fizzle.

Now it is Friday.  My second favorite day of the week.  Let me just say that despite the inability of my brain to properly function these last few days, I had an amazing week.  Absolutely amazing.  I am, however, ready for some relaxation.  The long weekend could not have come at a better time.  Memorial day weekend, I heart you!

And, this picture below has no relevance other than I find it calm and serene.  Serenity visit me, please?  I am perfectly okay with spending an entire day  lounging in my pajamas.  Why are all my shows over?  Why hasn't Pretty Little Liars started?  Why is it so hot?  SO MANY QUESTIONS!  SO LITTLE TIME!

Happy Friday, loves!

This week I learned something incredibly important.  It takes so little to make someone feel loved, feel wanted and worthy.  Yet, few of us ever even make an attempt.  I, however, am making the attempt.  I promise =)

xx

Life's a Beach!

“Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't going away.” 

-Elvis Presley

Summer is quickly approaching.  Bikinis and sunshine will soon be the staples of our day.  And, with that I feel like it is time to share with you a story.  You'll want to read this, trust.  

I have never been big on tanning (I've never even been to a tanning salon).  Sure, there were the times I'd lay out at the pool or the beach with my friends. On one occasion I even went as far as using baby oil to get that bronze look.  However, those times were few and far between.  Like every worried mother, as a child, beach days warranted sunscreen.  Yet, as a teenager I can count on my fingers how many times I used sunscreen (yikes, I know!).  Let's just say that number is painfully embarrassing.  When you are young you seem to cling to the idea that you are invincible.  

Sunscreen?  Say what?  Psh, I don't need that stuff.  My skin is resilient.  Yeah, nope, not really.  It took me a long while to decide to put this out there.  It wasn't something I was sure I wanted to share.  So, I put it off and I put it off and I put it off.  Finally, I realized that awareness is the key to prevention.  And, that is exactly the message I want to promote.  

Almost a year ago today I found an odd scar underneath my right clavicle bone.  It was small, round, and slightly reddish.  When I took a closer look I realized that it looked just like a scratch.  I couldn't recall if I had scratched myself or not (I have a crazy doggy) so, I just let it go.  And, oddly enough the scar went away.  Unfortunately a couple of weeks later it came back.  It came back a little redder, a little dryer and with a little blood.  Panic mode was switched on.

Yet, because it had disappeared once before, I figured it may just be a weird skin thing.  The husband and I were leaving for Puerto Rico, so, I let the little scratch be.  However, the strange little round scratch looking thing did not go away.  Even after multiple Neosporin cleanses the little scratch remained.  

And then google happened.  I swear, too much information can be overwhelmingly scary.   After a few days of research I was adamant that the little scratch looking thing was not just a scar.  I scheduled my dermatologist appointment and crossed my fingers that everything was going to be okay.  I mean, dudes, I barely tanned.

My dermatologist was phenomenal.  He answered all my questions and put me at ease.  In his opinion the little scratch was nothing to worry over.  However, he said that even scar tissue can have abnormal skin cells.  Therefore, a skin biopsy would be done.  I left the office with a promise of a call in a couple of days.  The waiting was unbearable.  I stayed away from google.

I received the phone call a few days later.  It wasn't the kind of news I was hoping for.  The nurse explained to me that there were abnormal cells found.  And then it happened.  She said that it was superficial skin basal cell carcinoma.  Um, what?  Come again?  Did you just say carcinoma?  My eyes immediately filled with tears.  The voice on the other end of phone spoke slowly, explaining that it was common and treatable and that I should not worry.  I hung up the phone and allowed the tears to flow.  I barely tanned.

I went to the appointment alone.  My dermatologist said that I had a choice between three options.  I could essentially burn the patch of skin, topically treat it with ointment or surgically remove the affected and surrounding area.  He suggested surgical removal and I agreed.  All I wanted was for that part of my skin to be gone.  I was nervous and edgy.  In my 26 years of life, I had never received stitches.  So, in less than an hour my superficial basal cell carcinoma was removed.  I left the dermatologist's office feeling a tiny bit shaken.  I was scarred.

Before this I had no idea what superficial basal cell carcinoma was.  Apparently, it is the most common form of skin cancer.  Fair skinned individuals are more susceptible, but, it can happen to anyone.  My dermatologist explained that its primary cause is sun damage caused from exposure before the age of 18.  Again, I was never a big tanner.  And, the little scratch looked so harmless.  

I am scarred.  My dermatologist asked if I wanted a plastic surgeon to look at it.  However, I feel like it is a constant reminder.  A reminder to take care of my body.  A reminder to take care of my skin.  It is a war wound.

If you are constantly exposed to the sun, I urge you, go to the dermatologist.  Did you find a weird scar-like patch of skin that was not there yesterday?  GET IT CHECKED OUT!  And, WEAR SUNSCREEN!  I cannot stress that enough.  Wear a hat and protect your skin.  I try not to expose my self to the sun that often, however, living in South Florida makes that an extremely difficult task.  Therefore,  sunscreen has become my new favorite accessory.  

Currently I am using Neutrogena sunscreen.  I love its light feel and it doesn't have an awful scent (which is great!).  I keep reminding myself, it could have been worst.  It-could-have-been-worst.  So, yes, it is great to bask yourself in sunshine.  But, remember, protect the skin you're in.  Make it a part of your morning routine.  After sometime it will come naturally to you.  And make sure your lip balm has sunscreen as well.

The summer months are quickly approaching.  Take a trip to your favorite store and load up on sunscreen!  Tan and leathery skin is so yesterday.

xx

Saturday Smoothies.

Sure, it is Tuesday, and these pictures were taken on Saturday, whatevs.  Actually, forgive me sweet readers.  Yesterday was the first day of my new job.  Therefore, I have been a little out of whack these last couple of days.  Leaving my old job and the anticipation of starting my new job was a little crazy.  Now that I am sorta in the groove of things, well, I am here to stay.

Let me start with a short and quick recap of the last couple of days.  So, I drank a sip of coffee (a sip) and bam! my stomach flared up.  Needless to say, it was a horrible day.  Then it was a horrible day after.  Coffee, you are not my friend, why can't I quit you?

Friday was the my last day at the private aviation company I worked for.  Am I sad?  Not really.  Let's just say that there were some very sweet, very, very sweet women whom I miss dearly.  What did Borat say? NOT!  

Saturday I went out to breakfast with T.  If you are in the Delray Beach area, the "Green Owl" is fun, homey, and delicious.  Go and when you are finished with breakfast take your happy tummy over to "The Nutrition Cottage".  It is already quite hot here in Florida, so, get yourself a smoothie (I ordered the Hawaiian Sunset and T ordered the Berried Treasure) and walk up and down the ave.  You can catch up on girl talk and get your exercise on.  It doesn't get much better.  

Sunday was spent alongside my lover.  He grilled me a burger and listened to me go on and on about how excited I was for my new job.  The amazingness did not end there.    Oh no it did not!  That sweet man of mine even endured two lifetime movies while I cuddled up next to him (I know, such sweetness).  

Monday was the first day at my new job.  I am now the newest employee of an amazing non-profit organization.  I am loving it.  The best part?  I can now say that I am a part of a team of individuals truly fighting to make a difference in the world.  I feel pretty bad ass =)

And here we are today.  Tuesday and a nonsensical post about nada.  Tomorrow shall be better.  

I hope everyone had a magical day!

xx